Category: Uncategorized

All of these books are available through the UIUC Library system and are currently on display in front of the circulation desk!

Graphic Novels 

Notes from a Sickbed  by Tess Brunton (Housed at Uni; GN B8384no)

In 2009, Tessa Brunton experienced the first symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome). She spent much of the next eight years unwell, in a medical holding pattern, housebound and often alone. In 2017, she found a strategy that helped reduce her symptoms, and soon began creating the first installments of a graphic memoir. Notes from a Sickbed collects previously released and brand-new, unseen comics that recall her experiences with honesty, a pointed wit, and a lively visual imagination.

 

 

 

Dancing After TEN by Vivian Chong and Georgia Webber (Housed in Main Stacks; PN6720.D3635 D3635 2020)

In late 2004, Vivian Chong’s life was changed forever when a rare skin disease, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), left her with scar tissue that would eventually blind her. As she was losing her sight, she put down as many drawings on paper as she could to document the experience. In Dancing After TEN, Chong teams up with cartoonist Georgia Webber — whose graphic autobiography, Dumb, chronicled her own disability — to trace her journey out of the darkness and into the spotlight.

 

Flamer by Mike Curato (Housed in SSHEL’s S Collection;  S.741.5973 C922fl)

I know I’m not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They’re mean, and scary, and they’re always destroying something or saying something dumb or both.

I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe.

It’s the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone’s going through changes—but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can’t stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

TW: Suicidal ideation, depression

 

Sensory: Life on the Spectrum Organized and Edited by Bex Ollerton (Housed at Main Stacks; PN6720.S4679 S4679 2022)

A colorful and eclectic comics anthology exploring a wide range of autistic experiences—from diagnosis journeys to finding community—from autistic contributors.

From artist and curator Bex Ollerton comes an anthology featuring comics from thirty autistic creators about their experiences of living in a world that doesn’t always understand or accept them. Sensory: Life on the Spectrum contains illustrated explorations of everything from life pre-diagnosis to tips on how to explain autism to someone who isn’t autistic, to suggestions for how to soothe yourself when you’re feeling overstimulated. With unique, vibrant comic-style illustrations and the emotional depth and vulnerability of memoir, this book depicts these varied experiences with the kind of insight that only those who have lived them can have.

 

Superb, Vol. 1: Life After the Fallout Written by David F. Walker and Sheena C. Howard, Illustrated by Ray-Anthony Height (Housed at the Main Stacks;  PN6720.S8632 S8632 2017 v.1)

After the Earth survived annihilation from an asteroid which was destroyed by a group of heroic astronauts, the resultant meteor shower turned Youngstown, Ohio, into a Level 5 impact zone. After a Columbine-like incident in which a superpowered teenager exploded and killed other youngsters, the Foresight Corporation took over Youngstown to find and regulate any other teenagers with emerging powers.

Kayla Tate has returned to Youngstown because her parents are scientists for Foresight. Kayla has reunited with her childhood friend, Jonah Watkins, a young man with Down syndrome. Kayla and Jonah are learning about each other again, as a mysterious new superhuman named Cosmosis has become the Internet sensation as the hero of Youngstown. Kayla discovers that Cosmosis . . . is Jonah! Based on his favorite comic book hero, Jonah is using the secret powers he gained from the meteor shower to help people and fight bad guys. To protect Jonah, and discover the sinister mysteries of her town, Kayla uses her own powers gained from a meteor fragment to fight alongside Jonah as the hero Amina.

When Amina and Cosmosis discover that young superpowered people are being kidnapped and trained to become Earth’s best line of defense against the possibility of an alien invasion, the two teenage heroes use their abilities to stop Foresight, all the while helping each other navigate through resentment, naivete, and the awkward steps of rekindling their friendship.

Last Pick #1 by Jason Walz (Housed at Uni;  GN W179l)

Three years ago, aliens invaded Earth and abducted everyone they deemed useful. The only ones spared were those too young, too old, or too “disabled” to be of value. Living on Earth under the aliens’ harsh authoritarian rule, humanity’s rejects do their best to survive. Their captors never considered them a threat—until now.

Twins Sam and Wyatt are ready to chuck their labels and start a revolution. It’s time for the kids last picked to step into the game.

In this first volume of Jason Walz’s dystopian graphic novel trilogy, the kids last picked are humanity’s last hope.

 

Anthologies

Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens Edited by Marieke Nijkamp (Housed at Uni; Fiction Un16)

This anthology explores disability in fictional tales told from the viewpoint of disabled characters, written by disabled creators. With stories in various genres about first loves, friendship, war, travel, and more, Unbroken will offer today’s teen readers a glimpse into the lives of disabled people in the past, present, and future.

The contributing authors are awardwinners, bestsellers, and newcomers including Kody Keplinger, Kristine Wyllys, Francisco X. Stork, William Alexander, Corinne Duyvis, Marieke Nijkamp, Dhonielle Clayton, Heidi Heilig, Katherine Locke, Karuna Riazi, Kayla Whaley, Keah Brown, and Fox Benwell. Each author identifies as disabled along a physical, mental, or neurodiverse axis―and their characters reflect this diversity.

 

Realistic Fiction 

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett (Housed at Uni; Fiction G1922fu)

Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. She’s making real friends, making a name for herself as student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she’s HIV-positive, because last time . . . well, last time things got ugly.

Keeping her viral load under control is easy, but keeping her diagnosis under wraps is not so simple. As Simone and Miles start going out for real–shy kisses escalating into much more–she feels an uneasiness that goes beyond butterflies. She knows she has to tell him that she’s positive, especially if sex is a possibility, but she’s terrified of how he’ll react! And then she finds an anonymous note in her locker: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too.

Simone’s first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but as she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face the haters head-on…

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall (Housed at Uni; Fiction G681un)

At seventeen, Norah has accepted that the four walls of her house delineate her life. She knows that fearing everything from inland tsunamis to odd numbers is irrational, but her mind insists the world outside is too big, too dangerous. So she stays safe inside, watching others’ lives through her windows and social media feed.

But when Luke arrives on her doorstep, he doesn’t see a girl defined by medical terms and mental health. Instead, he sees a girl who is funny, smart, and brave. And Norah likes what he sees.

Their friendship turns deeper, but Norah knows Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn’t so screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good—or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke’s eyes?

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (Housed at Uni; Fiction G8234t)

Turtles All the Way Down tells the story of Aza Holmes, an Indiana teenager living with a mental illness. Aza deals with intrusive thoughts and compulsive behavior, particularly relating to bacteria. She regularly researches C. diff, a type of bacteria that can cause a deadly infection. She also focuses on her middle finger, which has a callus that she often opens up to make bleed. As Aza thinks about the bacteria around her in the school cafeteria, Daisy, her best friend, tries to get Aza’s attention to ask her about Davis Pickett. Aza knew Davis from camp and knows that he is from a wealthy family. Daisy tells Aza that there is a reward for information about Russell Pickett, Davis’s father, who has disappeared. After school, Aza and Daisy change their plans of taking Daisy to work so they can go to the Pickett’s property to investigate.

 

Fantasy

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones (Housed at Uni; Fiction L7775bo)

Seventeen-year-old Aderyn (“Ryn”) only cares about two things: her family, and her family’s graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits. Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meager existence as gravediggers in the remote village of Colbren, which sits at the foot of a harsh and deadly mountain range that was once home to the fae. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don’t always stay dead.

The risen corpses are known as “bone houses,” and legend says that they’re the result of a decades-old curse. When Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker with a mysterious past and chronic pain, arrives in town, the bone houses attack with new ferocity. What is it that draws them near? And more importantly, how can they be stopped for good?

Together, Ellis and Ryn embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the mountains, where they will have to face both the curse and the long-hidden truths about themselves.

 

The first round of voting for Uni High’s 2023 March Book Madness is now underway!

Voting can be completed online at https://forms.gle/mji6JrVj3UoFFQvy9 or in the library on a paper ballot! From each of the pairings, vote for the ones you think should advance to the Elite 8!  Round 1 voting ends March 10th! Round 2 voting to pick the titles moving on to the Final Four will begin on Monday, March 13th and will only be available online due to Spring Break.

Still need a bracket? We got you covered! Blank brackets can be picked up in the library or downloaded and printed at http://shorturl.at/zALMT. Completed brackets are due by Friday, March 10th!

All updates, including voting round dates, will be available in the UniWeek Bulletin, the Uni High Reads blog, and our Instagram account.

(All book descriptions from Goodreads, except where noted!)

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo(#1)
A story of love and duty set in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the Red Scare.

“That book. It was about two women, and they fell in love with each other.” And then Lily asked the question that had taken root in her, that was even now unfurling its leaves and demanding to be shown the sun: “Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club.

America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father—despite his hard-won citizenship—Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

 

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden (#2)

Throughout the deepest reaches of space, a crew rebuilds beautiful and broken-down structures, painstakingly putting the past together. As new member Mia gets to know her team, the story flashes back to her pivotal year in boarding school, where she fell in love with a mysterious new student. Soon, though, Mia reveals her true purpose for joining their ship—to track down her long-lost love.

An inventive world, a breathtaking love story, and stunning art come together in this new work by award-winning artist Tillie Walden.

 

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson(#3)

Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

But she can’t shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?

Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn’t want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.

This is the story of an investigation turned obsession, full of twists and turns and with an ending you’ll never expect.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M McManus (#4)

One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon’s dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn’t an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he’d planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who’s still on the loose?
Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (#5)

Told in Kvothe’s own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen.

The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature.

A high-action story written with a poet’s hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.

Student review by William King (November newsletter):

The Name of the Wind was described to me by a friend as “the best book to ever exist.” Just a few pages in, I was convinced. A story told in the hero’s own voice, this fantasy adventure shows the growth of one of Temerant’s finest wizards and most notorious adventurers, Kvothe. Rothfuss’s captivating storytelling makes even the dullest chapters hard to look away from, and his detailed and layered  writing lets you find something new every reread.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (#6)

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz (#7)

Dante can swim. Ari can’t. Dante is articulate and self-assured. Ari has a hard time with words and suffers from self-doubt. Dante gets lost in poetry and art. Ari gets lost in thoughts of his older brother who is in prison. Dante is fair skinned. Ari’s features are much darker. It seems that a boy like Dante, with his open and unique perspective on life, would be the last person to break down the walls that Ari has built around himself.

But against all odds, when Ari and Dante meet, they develop a special bond that will teach them the most important truths of their lives, and help define the people they want to be. But there are big hurdles in their way, and only by believing in each other―and the power of their friendship―can Ari and Dante emerge stronger on the other side.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (#8)

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl’s struggle for justice.

Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen (#9)

Seventeen is nothing like Codi Teller imagined.

She’s never crashed a party, never stayed out too late. She’s never even been kissed. And it’s not just because she’s gay. It’s because she and her two best friends, Maritza and JaKory, spend more time in her basement watching Netflix than engaging with the outside world.

So when Maritza and JaKory suggest crashing a party, Codi is highly skeptical. Those parties aren’t for kids like them. They’re for cool kids. Straight kids.

But then Codi stumbles upon one of those cool kids, Ricky, kissing another boy in the dark, and an unexpected friendship is formed. In return for never talking about that kiss, Ricky takes Codi under his wing and draws her into a wild summer filled with late nights, new experiences, and one really cute girl named Lydia.

The only problem? Codi never tells Maritza or JaKory about any of it.

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic (#10)

Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He’s short, he’s fast, he’s got a ton of potential—and he’s the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.

Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn’t need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. His lies will hold up only so long under this kind of scrutiny and the truth will get him killed.

But Neil’s not the only one with secrets on the team. One of Neil’s new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can’t walk away from him a second time. Neil has survived the last eight years by running. Maybe he’s finally found someone and something worth fighting for.

Student review by Jacque Butts (March Newsletter)

The Foxhole Court is the first book in the All for the Game Trilogy. It follows Neil, an 18 year old about to graduate high school when he gets scouted by the Palmetto State Foxes to play exy  (a fictional twist on lacrosse). The thing is, Neil isn’t his actual name: he’s been through several identities while on the run from his mafia-involved father. He joins the Foxes, while still trying to stay out of the public eye. This is a really good series and it’s currently my top favorite. I recommend it to all of my friends, especially if they love books with  plot twists and secret identity. It does get pretty graphic at some parts, but is well worth your time!

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune (#11)

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.

Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (#12)

On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today.

Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.

Bleach by Tite Kubo (#13)

Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts—he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow—a malevolent lost soul—Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace. Find out why Tite Kubo’s Bleach has become an international manga smash-hit!

Ichigo Kurosaki has always been able to see ghosts, but this ability doesn’t change his life nearly as much as his close encounter with Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper and member of the mysterious Soul Society. While fighting a Hollow, an evil spirit that preys on humans who display psychic energy, Rukia attempts to lend Ichigo some of her powers so that he can save his family; but much to her surprise, Ichigo absorbs every last drop of her energy. Now a full-fledged Soul Reaper himself, Ichigo quickly learns that the world he inhabits is one full of dangerous spirits and, along with Rukia–who is slowly regaining her powers–it’s Ichigo’s job to protect the innocent from Hollows and help the spirits themselves find peace.

Orange by Ichigo Takano(#14)

On the day that Naho begins 11th grade, she receives a letter from herself ten years in the future. At first, she writes it off as a prank, but as the letter’s predictions come true one by one, Naho realizes that the letter might be the real deal. Her future self tells Naho that a new transfer student, a boy named Kakeru, will soon join her class. The letter begs Naho to watch over him, saying that only Naho can save Kakeru from a terrible future. Who is this mystery boy, and can Naho save him from his destiny? This is the heart-wrenching sci-fi romance that has over million copies in print in Japan!

Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth (#15)

Aideen has plenty of problems she can’t fix. Her best (and only) friend is pulling away. Her mother’s drinking problem is a constant concern. She’s even running out of outlandish diseases to fake so she can skip PE.

But when Aideen stumbles on her nemesis, overachiever Meabh Kowalski, in the midst of a full-blown meltdown, she sees a problem that—unlike her own disaster of a life—seems refreshingly easy to solve. Meabh is desperate to escape her crushing pile of extracurriculars. Aideen volunteers to help. By pushing Meabh down the stairs.

Problem? Solved. Meabh’s sprained ankle is the perfect excuse to ditch her overwhelming schedule. But when another student learns about their little scheme and brings Aideen another “client” who needs her “help,” it kicks off a semester of traded favors, ill-advised hijinks, and an unexpected chance at love. Fixing other people’s problems won’t fix her own, but it might be the push she needs to start.

Student review by Callie Standerfer (September Newsletter)

Not My Problem By Ciara Smyth is a hilarious queer YA book following main character Aideen who, as a distraction from her own problems, starts a business of helping fix people’s problems. There is never a dull plot moment since the main character always has an issue to solve. One aspect of the book I really liked was the main character’s dynamics. Very chaotic -good friend group energy! Be warned, this book does not stray away from hitting heavy topics like addictions and mental health. I recommend this to anyone looking for an eventful coming of age story.

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman (#16)

Frances has been a study machine with one goal. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret – not even the person she is on the inside. Then Frances meets Aled, and for the first time she’s unafraid to be herself.

So when the fragile trust between them is broken, Frances is caught between who she was and who she longs to be. Now Frances knows that she has to confront her past. To confess why Carys disappeared…

Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has.

Engaging with themes of identity, diversity and the freedom to choose, Radio Silence is a tour de force by the most exciting writer of her generation.

Student Review by Savindi Devmal (October Newsletter)

You’ve encountered yet another pointless romance between the lead female and male characters. Annoying, right? Then I recommend Radio Silence by Alice Oseman! The novel follows Frances Janvier as she discovers that her past best friend’s brother created her favorite podcast, starting an incredibly close friendship; its representation of close male-female friendships is commendable, and when there is romance, it includes gay and asexual representation. If you’re bored with many YA novels’ relationships, then Radio Silence will be a breath of fresh air!

Choose your own summer reading adventure! Starting at the top of the chart, choose which arrow to follow to your next summer reading. Once you’ve read your way to the bottom, send us your booklist via Discord (specifying which book fills which challenge) to be entered into the prize raffle at the beginning of the school year.

FAQ:

What if I just want to read five books, and not bother with the chart?

You won’t be entered into the raffle, but you will still win some candy and a book!

What if I’m a senior? Can I still enter?

Yes! You can either arrange to pick up prizes before you leave town, if you’re leaving, or we can make arrangements with your family. Reading is good for you after you graduate too 🙂

What if I read ten books? Can I fill out the chart twice for two raffle entries?

Each chart needs to have five unique books (not shared with the other one) but sure, if you wanna go hard, we’ll reward you. You’ll get an extra raffle entry but not an extra book or candy.

Does [book I read] count for [challenge on the chart]?

Probably! It’s honor system, really, so it’s up to you. If you read something pink and your favorite color is actually magenta. It’s pretty clear if something was released before 2010 or not.

About that– does 2010 count as before 2010?

Sure, why not.

I have a question that’s apparently not frequently asked?

Come on over to the Discord and ask!

 

Here’s a high-res photo of our new display in the hallway at Uni– click on the image to see a version large enough to zoom in on and read the text! You can request books from it through this form, or use the QR code if you think QR codes are cool.

I don’t want to speak for anyone but myself, but I don’t have much interest in coming out stories in my queer YA. Coming out stories are important and powerful, but in some ways they’ve been obscuring other aspects of the lives of queer people. Lately, I’ve been more into stories where the sexuality of the main character is central to the book, but not at all central to the book’s conflict. I’ve seen this most in fantasy, in books like Crier’s War by Nina Varela or Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. The author has license to make up a world where who the main character loves is not an issue.

What I’ve been realizing, though, is that queer fiction set in our world is almost always going to have some component of coming out or identity exploration to it, because queer lives in our world almost always do as well. With that in mind, I’ve been looking for books that handle this well. To me, that means telling a story more about the character’s exploration of their own identity, rather than how it relates to people around them like their family or friends (although this will always be a part of it). In this light, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo, might be my new standard to judge coming out books by.

A quick blurb: In 1950s Chinatown, Chinese-American teenager Lily Hu is captivated by a newspaper ad for male impersonator Tommy Andrews, who performs at the Telegraph Club, but would likely never do anything about it- until she discovers her classmate, Kath, has been to the Telegraph Club before. Would Lily like to go there with Kath, sometime, maybe? Over her senior year of high school, Lily discovers who she is, who she loves, and what her life might look like, against a backdrop of Communist anxiety amid post-war prosperity.

I loved a whole lot about this book, but I want to focus on a few things in particular I thought were really good: Lily’s journey of self-discovery, a realistic coming-out story, and great historical details that made me want to learn more.

Book Twitter has joked about the amount of ‘noticing’ that happens in this book, but it’s important: Lily’s self-discovery is about noticing things, and noticing what she notices. Sorry for that confusing sentence, I’ll clarify: from the beginning of the book, Lily is noticing things that her friends might not. Her noticing the picture of Tommy Andrews is the catalyst of the plot, and we can see through her 3rd person narration that she’s noticing the clothes women wear, or the way Kath’s hands feel in hers. She also mostly doesn’t notice boys: the author seems to have taken care to very rarely describe boys visually or in much detail, because that’s not what Lily is noticing. From the very beginning, it’s clear to the reader that Lily isn’t straight, even if she doesn’t know it yet. The real discovery happens as Lily becomes aware of what she’s noticing: a romance novel with two women she can’t stop reading snippets of, or the slightly masculine way that Kath is dressing.

Of course, as Lily discovers herself and her identity, it will affect her relationships, and the 1950s weren’t a good time to be queer. I was worried that the coming out story of the book was going to be one of two things: fake, where Lily finds full acceptance from her family despite the era and circumstances, or too brutal, where Lily gets caught and suffers. Instead, something in between happens, in a way that honestly really surprised me. I can’t say too much without spoilers, but the way things unfold caught me off-guard in how complex everyone’s reaction was. Characters weren’t split into ‘supportive’ and ‘not-supportive’ factions– there was at least a little bit of both in everyone. That felt realistic and truthful in a way that some coming out stories have not felt, to me personally at least.

Finally, the historical parts of this book are amazingly vivid and well-researched. I knew some about the Communist takeover of China, but I’d never thought much about how it would be perceived from America, or how it might affect Chinese-Americans. The minutiae of San Francisco, as seen by a Chinese-American teenager going to illegal lesbian bars, make it come alive as a real place and time. I don’t read much historical fiction but this book has made me look for a couple more like it to read this year. Lo also has a few pages at the back of the book that summarize some of her research. I usually skip these, to be quite honest, but I read them this time because the book had made me want to know more!

My one reservation in recommending this book is that, while amazing and moving, it’s not a particularly light read. Beyond some mild sexual content and a difficult ending, Lily and Kath are lying about their age to get into a bar, and as a result have some questionable interactions with adults who should know better. Nothing bad happens to either of them on this front, but it was a little bit uncomfortable for me to read, even as an adult. I’ve been trying to read more light stuff lately, with the real world as heavy as it is, but if you have the emotional budget for a book that will make you cry a bit I’d highly recommend Last Night at the Telegraph Club.

The TL;DR

What: Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo

Who should read it: Older teens who like historical fiction and/or queer fiction

Why they should read it: Great characters, ‘gritty’ realism without being edgy, excellent queer #OwnVoices
(everyone should read Malinda Lo, if not this book read Ash)

November is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo– this month, many writers are embarking on quests to write 50,000 words before the 30th (1,667 words per day!). Is it worth doing? For these nine authors, yes! In one way or another, these novels are products of NaNoWriMo, and should serve as inspiration for anyone trying to write their way to the big 50k. What you’re doing is worthwhile even if you don’t get published, but hey, you just might.

Here’s a list of these books, and where to find them. Call numbers refer to the Uni High collection, and can be requested by email! Other books are available at your local libraries, many in Pandemic-Approved digital formats.

• With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo AC37wi
• The Compound by S.A. Bodeen Champaign Public Library (CPL), print or audio
• Alienated by Melissa Landers CPL, digital and print
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer M575Lu1
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern CPL
  
• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins P4198an
• Zero Repeat Forever by G.S. Prendergast CPL
• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell R795f
• The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Cary Ryan CPL digital formats

My (Charlie’s) personal favorite of these is The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern. The book is about a mysterious circus that comes and goes in the night, and serves as the arena for a long, drawn-out magical competition between the two acolytes of different schools of magic. Secretly, the book is actually about theater and performance, and the lush descriptions of magical interactive theater pieces between chapters are my favorite part of the book. If you like #EnemiesToLovers and cool magic, this is definitely for you. (And no creepy clowns!)

Cinder by Marissa Meyer has also been a popular book at the Uni Library since its release. With androids, cyborgs, plagues, and intrigue, this is the first in a series many find hard to put down, and I’ve been very much meaning to pick up. If anyone who has read it and loved it would like to write a brief review, let us know! We would happily host it here and credit you.

[brief disclaimer: I, Charlie, have done NaNoWriMo three times, finished my word count twice, and not produced novels nearly this good. I think NaNoWriMo is worth doing even if you write 50,000 words then put them in a digital drawer to never be seen again! These books should demonstrate, though, that it is not just a futile speedwriting effort. What you make has worth, because no one else could have made it!]